Laughing

Laugh"ing

(?),
a. & n. from Laugh,
v. i.
[1913 Webster]

Laughing falcon(Zol.), a South American hawk (Herpetotheres cachinnans); -- so called from its notes, which resemble a shrill laugh. --
Laughing gas(Chem.), hyponitrous oxide, or protoxide of nitrogen; -- so called from the exhilaration and laughing which it sometimes produces when inhaled. It is much used as an ansthetic agent. --
Laughing goose(Zol.), the European white-fronted goose. --
Laughing gull.
(Zol.) (a) A common European gull (Xema ridibundus); -- called also
pewit,
black cap,
red-legged gull, and
sea crow. (b) An American gull (Larus atricilla). In summer the head is nearly black, the back slate color, and the five outer primaries black. --
Laughing hyena(Zol.), the spotted hyena. See Hyena. --
Laughing jackass(Zol.), the great brown kingfisher (Dacelo gigas), of Australia; -- called also
giant kingfisher, and
gogobera. --
Laughing owl(Zol.), a peculiar owl (Sceloglaux albifacies) of New Zealand, said to be on the verge of extinction. The name alludes to its notes.
[1913 Webster]

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